Helping Hands: Building Your Courageous Support Network
Support network building and mapping
Transform uncertainty into opportunity, building resilience and courage through connection. Unlock the power of community in this interactive workshop designed for those looking to thrive amidst life's complexities. This session helps participants build a robust support network tailored…
Active Listening
Communication Skills Practice
Cooperative Problem-Solving
Goal Alignment
Group Activity
Journalling & Reflection
Workshop
Description
Transform uncertainty into opportunity, building resilience and courage through connection.
Unlock the power of community in this interactive workshop designed for those looking to thrive amidst life's complexities. This session helps participants build a robust support network tailored to their unique goals. Through a focused network mapping activity, we’ll develop the courage it takes to seek and receive support, as well as a clear action plan for who to ask for assistance with specific challenges.
Dive into the experience:
- Welcome & Introductions: Create a safe space with an overview of session goals and personal intention-setting.
- Topic Exploration: Understand the essential benefits of seeking help from a community, team, or network, including novelty, accountability and recognition.
- Network Mapping Activity: Identify potential allies in your personal and professional circles. Map out “helping hands” – individuals, groups, or resources that can support your aims.
- Commitment to Action: Conclude with a reflection on key takeaways and commit to one actionable step towards strengthening your network.
- Optional breakout groups and peer sharing, depending on session length. Engage in meaningful discussions in small groups to explore personal insights and strategies.
Benefits
- Discover Hidden Opportunities: Identify connections to resources, information, or people that were previously unrecognised.
- Increased Confidence: Strengthen confidence in your ability to find support and overcome challenges.
- Connection and Cohesion: Identify opportunities to strengthen bonds with others, creating a network that supports mutual growth.
- Improved Communication: Learn to tailor communication strategies to resonate more effectively with different individuals and groups in your network.
- Empowerment: Practice effective strategies to ask for and accept help, fostering resilience.
Hosted by Caitlin McDonald
About the Host
My coaching helps people to find courage in the complicated: in a time of increasing volatility, we all need tools for surviving and thriving. Using a series of research-validated core competencies, coaching helps us become more of the selves that we want to be, more of the time. I am an Associate Certified Coach with the International Coach Federation and a trained Mental Health First Aider, which helps me point people in the right direction at the times they need it most. As a cancer survivor, I know deep in my bones how a catastrophe can transform into an opportunity to explore personal growth, uncovering hidden reserves of resilience and inner strength. I'm based in the vibrant neighbourhood of Leith in Edinburgh, whose crest featuring a ship of hope over the motto 'Persevere' has been a source of solace and solidarity for people living here since the 12th century. With a background as a technology strategist of 10+ years’ experience working with high-performing individuals and teams at globally recognised Fortune 250+ companies, national governments and intergovernmental organisations, I understand the pressures and complexities that leaders are facing in an increasingly fast-paced and fractious world. Through guided activities I offer individuals and teams the opportunity to top up resilience reserves and nourish inner courage. This empowers clients to find strength within themselves to approach every challenge with fortitude and joy. I am also an award-winning researcher for futures research and for creative industries innovation, and an artist whose work has been featured in several international art exhibitions.
Travel Locations
Willing to travel anywhere in the UK provided client reimburses travel expenses – agreed on a per-session basis at time of booking. Willing to travel anywhere in the world for longer programmes/retreats provided client reimburses travel expenses.
Certifications & Credentials
ICF ACC profile: https://www.coachingfederation.org.uk/find-coach/coach-detail/923 Oxygen indemnity insurance (certificate available on request.)
Focus Areas
Development/Coaching
Location
Edinburgh, UK
Languages
English
Corporate Experience
Moderate
Session Types Offered
Interactive (eg. improv, group-art, yoga etc.)
Past Experience Doing Sessions
Yes - Interactive
Client Requirements
Microphone and projector for sessions exceeding 25 people; pens or coloured markers and paper for participants.
Past Clients
Wiley, The Outsiders (Outdoor Office Day), Yorkshire Festival of Story
Photo Gallery